Grab unit



Oct. 30, 1951 R. G. LE TOURNEAU 2,573,667

GRAB UNIT Filed April 12, 1947 3 SheetsSheet 1 o I v V 2 17 J l7 4 r 4 INVENTOR. R.GLe7Z urneau wLTwAL Oct. 30, 1951 R. G. 1.1-: TOURNEAU 2,573,657

GRAB UNIT Filed April 12, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 30, 1951 R. G. LE TOURNEAU 2,573,667

GRAB UNIT Filed April 12, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

Kale Ybzirn'eau 4% mail Patented Oct. 30, 1951 GRAB UNIT Robert G. Le Tourneau, Longview, Tex., assignor to R. G. Le, Tourneau, Inc., Stockton, Califi, a

corporation Application April 12, 1947, Serial No. 741,048

Claims.

This invention has for an object the provision of a novel grab unit or grapple adapted for use with a hoist to engage and lift material. While designed for use with material, such as hay,

closed at any elevation without regard to operation of the hoist.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grab unit, as in the preceding paragraph, wherein the actuating cable system is powered by a reversible electric motor unit mounted directly on, and traveling with, the hoist suspended frame of the grab unit.

An additional object contemplates the embodiment, in' the grab unit, of a novel sheave assembly to which the actuating cable system is connected.

It is also an object to incorporate a novel rotary shaft and mounting arrangement for the grab element; the shafts being hollow box beams, and the grab elements projecting from angle brackets symmetrically engaging over, and secured to, portions of said shafts.

A further object of the invention is to providea practical but simple and relatively inexpensive grab unit, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by meansof such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an end view of the grab unit, closed.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the grab unit, open.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the grab unit open. I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation illustrating the reeving of the grab unit closing cables.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section showing the journaling of one end of one cross shaft in connection with the corresponding end beam.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the grab unit comprises a rigid horizontal frame, indicated generally at I, which frame comprises, in parallel relation, a pair of spaced end beams 2 connected together by a'central cross beam 3.

At each side the frame supports a rotary cross 2 shaft 4 which is of hollow box beam type, pref erably square in cross section; said rotary cross shafts being journaled, at the ends, in connection with corresponding end portions of the beams 2, as follows:

Each rotary cross shaft 4 is formed, at opposite ends, with an axial boss 5 which engages in a bearing 6 carried in a bracket block I suspended, in fixed relation, from the adjacent end portion of the corresponding end beam 2. A suitable seal 8 prevents accessof dust and foreign material into each bearing 6.

The cross shafts 4 are'each fitted, at-longitudinally spaced points thereon, with a depending arcuate grab hook 9 which faces inwardly; the corresponding grab hooks 9 on the cross shafts 4 at opposite ends of the device being in cooperative alinement. The grab :hooks 9 are afiixed to 'the corresponding rotary cross shaft 4 by means of an angle bracket l0 which symmetrically engages over the cross shaft 4 from one corner thereof. The angle brackets [0 are secured to the cross shafts 4 in any suitable manner.

By reason of the above arrangement the grab hooks 9 may be secured at any selected points along the cross shafts 4, and such hooks may be replaced, if broken or worn, without removing the corresponding cross shaft.

The grab unit is adapted ,to be suspended from a hoist hook ll by means of a rigid upstanding suspension plate 12 affixed to the cross beam 3 centrally of its ends in facing relation to the end beams 2. At its upper end the suspension plate 12 includes an eye l3, through which the hoist hook H is adapted to engage. The hoist hook H is part of any suitable hoist system, not otherwise shown.

The'grab hook assemblies 9, as formed in connection with the rotary cross shafts 4-, are adapted to be power actuated between the closed position of Fig. 1 and the open position of Figs. 2 and'3, by means of the following arrangement:

' A reversible electric motor unit, indicated at I4, is mounted on the vertical suspension plate on one side thereof, and includes a drive shaft I5 projecting through suspension plate 12 to the other side thereof horizontally and parallel to the central cross beam 3. On the side of the suspension plate l2 opposite said electric motor unit, the drive shaft I5 is fitted with a cable drum H5. The reversible electric motor unit includes a reduction gear train, and an automatic brake, the latter normally being set, butreleasing of itself when the electric motor is energized in either direction of rotation.

sheaves l1 and pass through holes in the adjacent portions of the half sheaves. I182", whence said ends of the cables are dead-ended to the.

latter.

The upper ends of the cables. l9, after. passing about the cable drum l6, are locked or deadended in chordal bores 2| in said cablei drum. Upon rotation of the cable drum 5, by the reversible electric motor unit l4 in a direction to wind the cables I9 onto such drum, the half sheaves II are rotated in a direction to cause powered closing of the grab hooks 9.

To open the grab hook assemblies on the rotary cross shafts 4, there is provided another pair of pull.cables, indicated at 22. At their upper ends the pull cables 22 are secured to the cable drum H5 in the .same manner as described in connection with the cables l9, and thence such pull cables .22 leadofi the cable drum 16 in the same direction, but. opposite to the leadoff direction of the. cables 19.

From the drum I6 the cables 22 lead in opposite directions to, and extend about, the half sheaves I 8 from the top of the latter.

- At their lower free ends the pull cables 22 run off the half sheaves l8 and pass through holes 23 in the adjacent portions of the half sheaves l'l, whence said ends of the cables 22 are dead-ended.

By running the cable drum l6, by the reversible electric motor M, in a direction to pay the cables t9 off the drum I6, and to wind the cables 22 onto said drum, the grab hooks 9 arev power actuated to open position.

The use of the split or half sheave arrangement for coupling the cables l9 and 22 in rotative relationto the cross shaft 4 provides a very simple and yet eflicient means of accomplishing the desired result. Additionally, this half sheave arrangement, taken with the rectangular box beam shafts 4 and grab hook attaching angle brackets 1.8, provides a most practical and simple means of initial manufacture, and the resulting'assembly is nevertheless quite strong and rugged.

As the actuating cable systemv is wholly inde pendent of the hoist, the grab hooks 9' can be opened or closed by the reversible electric motor unit [:4 in any position of elevation of the grab unit; this. being a feature not present in certain grabs or grapples-heretofore known, wherein actuation of the grab hooks was titer-dependent upon operation of the hoist.

The present grab unit, being power actuated both in an opening and closing direction, can forcefully and. positively engage a load, and yet quickly andreasiljyrelease the same when desired.

For the purpose of clarity, the electric supply and control circuit for the. reversible electric motor unit I4. is omitted, but; may be of any conventional type.

From the. foreging description it will be read- 11y seen that there has been. produced such. a

The free ends of the pull cables 19, at their lower ends, lead off the half.

4 device as substantially fulfills the objects of invention as forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations therefrom may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon the which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A grab hook unit comprising a pair of spaced parallel end beams, a cross beam rigidly connected to. said end beams substantially midway --between their ends; a flat vertically upstanding suspension plate rigidly fixed to the cross beam substantially midway of its length, the hat sides of the plate being disposed in facing relation to the-end-beams, a cross shaft extending between adjacent ends of the end beams and journaled thereon, grab hooks fixed on the cross shafts, a reversible electric motor fixed to one face of the vertical plate with its driven shaft projectingthrough the plate, a cable drum on said. motor. shaft and disposed adjacent the opposite side of the, plate, a sheave unit mounted on each cross shaft in substantial alinement with the drum, and a cable system connected between the drumand sheaves and effective to rotate the cross shafts upon operation of the motor.

2. In a grab unit, a frame comprising parallel end beams and a centrally disposed cross beam-1 connecting the end beams, a rotary shaft jour'-- naled adjacent each side of the frame between the adjacent ends of the end beams, grab elements depending from each shaft, an upstanding suspension plate on the cross beam, a reversible; electric motor unit mounted on-one sideof the plate, a cable system mounted on the opposite side of the plate, such cable system being connected in driven relation. with the motor and: in driving relation with the shafts.

3. In a grab unit, a frame comprising parallel end beams and a centrally disposed cross beam connecting the end beams, a rotary shaft journaled adjacent each sideof the frame between the adjacent ends of the end beams, grab elements depending from each shaft, an upstanding suspension plate on the cross beam, a reversible electric motor unit mounted on one side of the plate, a cable drum mounted on the opposite: side of the plate and connected in driven relation with the motor, and cables connected with the drum and shafts and operative to reversibl and oppositely rotate the shafts.

4. In a grab unit, a. frame comprising parallelend beams and a centrally disposed crossbeanr connecting the end beams, a rotary shaft journalled adjacent each side ofthe frame between the adjacent ends of the end beams, grab elements depending from each shaft; an upstanding suspension plate on the cross beam, a reversible electric motor unit mounted on one side of the plate, a cable drum mounted on the opposite side of the plate and'connected in driven relation with the motor, a pair of sheaves mounted on each: shaft in alinement with the cable drum, a first pair of pull cables secured to and leading inthe same direction off the drum and thence diverging relative to each other, one cable of said first pair of cables, extending to and, under one of: the sheaves on one shaft, the outer end of the cable being fixed relative to said sheave, the other cable of saidfirst pair of cables extending to and under one. of the sheaves on the other shaft, the outer end of such cable being fixed relative to such sheave, a second pair of pull cables secured to the drum and leading therefrom in a direction opposite to that taken by the first pair of cables and then diverging relative to each other, one cable of said second pair of cables extending to and over the other sheave on said one shaft, the outer end of such cable being fixed relative to such sheave, the other cable of said second pair of cables then extending to and over the other sheave on said other shaft, the outer end of such cable being fixed relative to such sheave.

5. In a grab unit, a frame comprising parallel end beams and a centrally disposed cross beam connecting the end beams, a rotary shaft journaled adjacent each side of the frame between the adjacent ends of the end beams, grab elements depending from each shaft, an upstanding suspension plate on the cross beam, a reversible electric motor unit mounted on one side of the plate, a cable drum mounted on the opposite side of the plate and connected in driven relation with the motor, a pair of half sheaves mounted on each shaft in alinement with the cable drum, each half sheave of a pair being attached to the shaft in circumferential and axial offset relation with respect to the adjacent half sheave of on one shaft and having its outer end dead-ended on the adjacent half sheave, the other cable of said first pair of cables extending to and under one of the half sheaves on the other shaft and having its outer end dead-ended on the adjacent half sheave, a second pair of pull cables fixed to the drum and leading together therefrom in a direction opposite that taken by the first pair of cables and then diverging, one cable of said second pair of cables then extending to and over the other half sheave on said one shaft and having its outer end dead ended on the adjacent half sheave, the other cable of said second pair of cables extending to and over the other half sheave on said other shaft and having its outer end dead ended on the adjacent sheave.

ROBERT G. LE TOURNEAU.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 64,167 Tomlin Apr. 23, 1867 625,110 Lambing May 16, 1899 2,049,679 Whiteman et a1 Aug. 4, 1936 2,412,845 Stevens Dec. 1'7, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 38,168 Holland May 15, 1936 

